, 1887-03-10

patton and settlement. The north
ern line of the reservation runs from
a point not far from Fort Occur d.
Alene s0uth-eastward through Wolf
Lodge to the Mission, on the Occur
dAlepe river thirty-fve miles east
of the lake, and from there south.
west to the southern bounds OF the
reservation near Pennington. The
reservation lays somewhat in the
form of triangle, the eastern point
being at the mission, as described.
The portion sought to be opened Is
bounded on the north by the north
line of the reservation, on
the west by lake Occur d'Alene,
and on the south by the range Of
mountains separating the basins of
the Occur GAlene and st. Joseph
land In the valley of the Occur d.
object sought. This valley In the res
ervation is thirty.five miles long
and from one to three miles wide.
The soil is deep, rich and very pro-
ductive. 1t would make from three
hundred to five hundred good farms
which means that many happy and
prosperous homes. The Indians
have abandoned this part of the res
ervation, a very few OF them linger-
ing to cut wood for the steamboats,
and at one place to cut hay. They
are now located on the headwaters
Of Hangman creek and will make no
protest against abandoning this val
ley. II 1t could be thrown open by
the government to actual settlers we
would see such rush to the new
paradise as would surpass the rush
into the adjacent mineral fields.
There Is no section equal to it in sit
uatiOn and richness In the entire
northwest, while its nearness to the
mining region would always insure
an excellent market for Its products.
Its supplies OF hard dware, dry goods,
agricultural implements, ETC., would
be drawn from this city. 1t would re-
move the only barrier that now ex-
lists between this city and the mines
and would hasten the completion of
an all.raiI connection with that re-
gion. Especially is it desirable that
the opening of this portion of
the reservation be secured now from
the fact that the commissioners af-
ter looking the country over, have
to settle the Moses, Col
Vile, Spokane and Calispel tribes on
this reservation. In that case there
would be no land to spare to the gov
ernment and the barrier between
two sections naturally united in all |
their interests would be continued |
indefinitely. The settlement Of this |
rich and beautiful valley and its de. |
vOtion to agriculture would be of in |
calculable benefit to the entire peo-
Pile in the Occur d' Alene mining re-
yiOns, as all their supplies OF hay,
grain, vegetables, fruits, dairy pro.
lucts, ETC., have now to be hauled
md shipped i'm from Spokane and
Whitman COMMITTEES. 1t may be seen,
therefore, that while this measure
would work no hardship to the In
llans 1t would be of i'm
nense Importance to the prosperity
md development Of that country. 1t
s demanded by every reason of pub
ic policy and as the commissioners
lslx that the InWtter be pvesenteti to
hem we hope some of our enterpris-
ng citizens will meet with DIR. Har-
'ey to-day and call on them. They
re gentlemen who are seeking for
to guide them in rec
what IS most needed by
he country, and will be pleased to
now what IS demanded in this case.
let an appointment be made for
his afternoon where our citizens
nd those of Murray and Wardner,
'ho are in the city, can interview
he commissioners and lay the mat j
n before them in all its bearin gs. :